1 400 ill from tainted water

2006-06-12 18:57

Budapest - About 1 400 people in northeastern Hungary have fallen ill from drinking water contaminated with bacteria, the director of national epidemic affairs said on Monday.

Flooding caused by heavy spring rainfall caused the contamination of spring water that flows into the water system serving the city of Miskolc, about 160km northeast of the capital, Budapest, experts said.

Residents of Miskolc on Thursday began showing symptoms of bacterial poisoning, including diarrhoea, vomiting and fatigue.

By Monday afternoon, the number of sick had reached 1 400, with 95 people hospitalized, said the director of national epidemic affairs, Lajos Ocsai.

Trucks were bringing in water for household needs and school children, he said.

- AP